Tokyo

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Tokyo — Tokyo spent most of its history as an out-of-the-way backwater, but about 400 years ago the shogun (military ruler) built his castle here and the city has never looked back. Now a world-leader in business, education, finance, media, manufacturing and shipping, it’s managed to avoid the problems that plague cities elsewhere: poverty, homelessness, and crime are virtually unheard of. What’s left is a sprawling metropolis populated by literate, cosmopolitan, gourmet, gracious, hospitable and stylish denizens. Public transportation works like a dream, and people respect each other’s quiet and privacy. And you can forget that old saw about Tokyo being prohibitively expensive – while it’s possible to spend a fortune, you certainly don’t have to.

Why Go

For an exciting and enormous metropolis that’s equal parts Japanese history lesson and glimpse into the future.